Sources for electronic parts?

[jeffmorris]

I want to buy optical shaft encoder and ultrasonic range finder but Radio Shack and Vex Robotics don't have them anymore (I think). Are there other sources?

[artdutra04]

I want to buy optical shaft encoder and ultrasonic range finder but Radio Shack and Vex Robotics don't have them anymore (I think). Are there other sources?VexLabs now carries all of the Vex components. Here are the links to the Ultrasonic and Optical Shaft Encoder pages. They are currently sold out of both the Ultrasonic and Encoder Sensors, which may also be the reason why you cannot find them at RadioShack. If you can wait a few weeks, they will most likely be in stock again. :)

Ultrasonic Range Finder - http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-optical-shaft-encoder-kit.shtml

Optical Shaft Encoder - http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-ultrasonic-range-finder-kit.shtml

[bcieslak]

Try Hobby Engineering for the ultrasonics.

Digikey or Mouser has the shaft encoders. Don;t forget you have two gear tooth counters in the kit.

Vex Shaft encoder gives you 100 pulses per rev. Only one channel not quadrature or encoded so you can't measure direction or position. You can only count pulses.

BC